The Invasive Spartina Project is a coordinated regional effort among local, state, and federal organizations dedicated to preserving California's extraordinary coastal biological resources through the elimination of introduced species of Spartina (cordgrass). Non-native cordgrasses are highly aggressive invaders that significantly alter both the physical structure and biological composition of our tidal marshes, mudflats, and creeks. As part of its regional program, the ISP conducts annual baywide, and outer coast monitoring, to track and map the extent and rate of spread of nonnative Spartina, and to monitor the efficacy of the ISP’s Spartina treatment.

California Ridgway's Rail Monitoring Program

Olofson Environmental designed and implements an extensive long-term program to monitor the endangered California Ridgway's rail in the San Francisco Estuary. Our expert biologists conduct annual breeding season surveys for Ridgway's rails at 87 tidal marshes and prepare annual reports detailing population trends for state and federal agencies.

Olofson Environmental provides a variety of services, including vegetation performance monitoring and reporting, invasive plant mapping, and technical oversight in support of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Bioregional Habitat Restoration Program as part of the Water System Improvement Program's mitigation plan.

Earthen Island Construction Project

In collaboration with H.T. Harvey & Associates and in association with the California State Coastal Conservancy's Invasive Spartina Project, Olofson Environmental provides USFWS-permitted California Ridgway's rail biologists to monitor construction of high tide refuge earthen islands throughout the San Francisco Bay.

Sheep Camp Creek Restoration Project

Olofson Environmental conducted mapping of invasive plants at Sheep Camp Mitigation Area (Koopman Ranch) in Sunol, in support of a habitat restoration project funded by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The scope of work included mapping invasive plants listed by the California Invasive Plant Council with a rating of Moderate or High for impact to native habitat, as well as by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board in Appendix I: Invasive Non-Native Species to Avoid in Wetland Projects in the San Francisco Bay Region.